February 16 / 16.40 Punchestown

16.40

Yielding To Soft

David Trundley Artist At Punchestown Novice Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £7070.25
  • 2m 6f 211y
  • 12 runners
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David Trundley Artist At Punchestown Novice Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: 4-321P

Last run: 63 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Beaten a long way out when pulled up on his first try at a staying trip (3m1f) at Navan last time; probably on a stiff enough mark at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(8)

7th Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

19:00 Tramore

Churchwarden

10st 4lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: Henry De Bromhead

Flat maiden; won a Kilbeggan handicap hurdle in 2024 when with John McConnell; down the field in two runs for this stable; seemed to be well fancied for a similar race to this at Roscommon on the first occasion; blinkered now after a poor hurdle run.

13/2

11th

1

5th Jun 2026

Good

2m 3f 61y

19:55 Clonmel

Churchwarden

11st 12lb

J: Rian Lane

T: Henry De Bromhead

Flat maiden won a Kilbeggan handicap hurdle in 2024 when with John McConnell but pulled-up next two hurdle runs; never involved on debut for this yard back on the Flat last time but can do better.

4/1

10th

15

(7)

11th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 46y

19:53 Roscommon

Churchwarden

9st 5lb

J: Conor Cusack

T: Henry De Bromhead

Lost way after 2024 Kilbeggan novice hurdle win for John McConnell; well beaten all five Flat starts last year; best watched after break on first start for new stable.

10/1

Form: F-5013

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Came on from his return with a wide margin handicap hurdle win at Fairyhouse on his return and possibly just caught out by a a shorter trip at Naas since; may find improvement for this sort of distance and he's unexposed; yard in good form in recent weeks.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

8th Jun 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 0f 100y

19:18 Roscommon

Must Go Now

11st 8lb

J: Gavin Brouder

T: Edward Cawley

Won a Fairyhouse handicap hurdle (2m4f, yielding to soft) in early 2025 but only one effort of note in the past 12 months, when third in first-time cheekpieces at Cork in March; tailed off in both his beginners' chases.

25/1

10th

6

25th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 54y

18:05 Ballinrobe

Must Go Now

11st 12lb

J: E Walsh

T: Edward Cawley

1-17 over timber and rated 109; always behind when beaten 77l on sole chase start at Leopardstown in March (21.5f, yielding); mid-field in Punchestown handicap hurdle latest; others make more appeal.

28/1

9th

16

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 3f 81y

15:05 Punchestown

Must Go Now

10st 8lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Edward Cawley

1-16 over hurdles; ran well when a close third at Cork off 1lb higher on penultimate (2m4f, yielding); needs to bounce back from disappointing Fairyhouse run latest; others look better treated.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 333

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Four point wins from 15 and has hit the frame in three maiden hurdles so far; could be a player from an opening mark off 112 on handicap debut and he's versatile with regards to conditions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

6th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 120y

17:40 Fairyhouse

Prophets Corner

11st 1lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Sean Joseph Allen

Four-time point-to-point winner gained first chase win under rules' on latest at Limerick (24.5f, sft-hvy); raised 6lb for that and this is a deeper race; will need a big career-best to follow up.

13/2

1st

3

22nd Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 150y

16:37 Limerick

Prophets Corner

11st 8lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Sean Joseph Allen

Four-time point-to-point winner whose success under rules came in 2m7f Punchestown novice handicap hurdle last season (soft); 0-5 chasing, well held last twice in Naas handicaps, albeit near-impossible task last time from 10lb out of handicap in Leinster National; drops in class so don't rule out.

10/1

6th

16

8th Mar 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 174y

16:02 Naas

Prophets Corner

10st 0lb

J: Michael Kenneally

T: Sean Joseph Allen

Four-time point-to-point winner has one success under rules' which came in a comfortable fashion in a Punchestown novice handicap hurdle in February last year off 112 (2m7f, soft); well beaten in recent chase runs, including on handicap debut last time over 2m4f here (heavy); looks up against it from 10lb outside handicap.

33/1

Form: -21311 C

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Has really progressed this season, following up a narrow defeat on return with wins in three of his next four starts; won a novice handicap hurdle with plenty in hand here 13 days ago so an 8lb rise is probably workable and shapes like he's well worth another go at this sort of trip; Kelly good value for the 5lb he can claim and leading claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

10th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

18:03 Wexford

Duffys Hodey

10st 3lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Decent performer at a modest enough level, three hurdle wins and twice successful over fences off lower marks this term in Limerick handicaps, most recently last month when patiently-ridden to lead two out for ready 11l win (2m4f, soft); up 9lb but remains 10lb lower than hurdles so remains very much of interest.

9/2

1st

8

31st Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 128y

18:12 Limerick

Duffys Hodey

10st 10lb

J: Tiernan Power Roche

T: P J Rothwell

Three wins last year included a win over fences here over 2m6f; has to rebound from two poor runs since a second at Tramore on New Year's Day.

14/1

Form: 511134 BF

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Recorded hat-trick at Downpatrick, all three wins with good in the going description; good runs in defeat twice since including behind Must Go Now last month; each-way claims again but vulnerable to rivals on better marks.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

22nd Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 110y

13:10 Gowran Park

Portnacoo

11st 8lb

J: Adam Leahy

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Four-time hurdles winner; not solid on his form this term, latterly for new yard; unseated rider at Taunton over fences on latest; best form is on better ground than this.

25/1

2

23rd Oct 2025

Yielding

2m 4f 51y

15:52 Clonmel

Portnacoo

11st 9lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: John Joseph Hanlon

Three wins at Downpatrick and one at Carlisle which was the latest in February; showed nothing in two runs since that win but encouraging signs when fourth at Gowran 20 days ago and he's back on his last winning mark.

5/1

Form: 115

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Hexham bumper winner and retrospectively promoted to first (winner DQ'd for banned substance) in a Wexford maiden hurdle in October; form of her subsequent fifth in a Limerick maiden hurdle over Christmas has been boosted several times since and an opening mark of 110 could underestimate her.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

30th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

15:50 Wexford

Rue Taylor

11st 7lb

J: Carl Millar

T: Paul Nolan

Bumper winner in UK and both hurdle wins for this yard have come at this track up to 3m; regressive over hurdles last autumn and well beaten in two beginners' chases; has to return to form.

16/1

5th

9

21st May 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 160y

18:48 Limerick

Rue Taylor

11st 5lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Paul Nolan

One of two for trainer; two-time winner over hurdles at Wexford but no sign of her best form last season; tailed off on chasing debut at Kilbeggan (2m7f, good) last month when jumping lacked fluency.

18/1

8th

13

24th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 6f 70y

18:59 Kilbeggan

Rue Taylor

11st 5lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Paul Nolan

Has won twice over hurdles at Wexford, notably final start last term in 3m novice in April (yielding), relishing stamina test; no sign of her best hurdles form on last three runs.

20/1

Form: 244065

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Flat winner but 0-8 over timber over timber and doesn't look well treated on anything she's done so far.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

13

(9)

15th Jul 2026

Good

1m 6f 80y

20:30 Killarney

Folly Beach

9st 2lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: M A Molloy

Three years since her sole Flat win (1m7f, soft) but only narrowly denied over 1m5f at Down Royal last month on similar ground; not as effective on fast ground six days later at the Curragh so ground concerns again here.

14/1

10th

22

(22)

26th Jun 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

18:45 Curragh

Folly Beach

8st 7lb

T: M A Molloy

Second reserve; dual-purpose; 1-25 on turf on the Flat; back to form with neck second of 14 at Down Royal (1m3f, soft) six days ago; her win came on soft so quicker conditions a concern for her here.

2nd

16

(7)

20th Jun 2026

Good

1m 4f 207y

17:13 Down Royal

Folly Beach

9st 12lb

T: M A Molloy

Second reserve; 1-43 under rules with the win coming in 2023; midfield finish on return at Navan.

Form: 4U3310 BF

Last run: 35 days

W: 11st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Off the mark in a Limerick handicap hurdle over Christmas but disappointing favourite at this venue since and this is a hard race to bounce back in.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

16th May 2026

Good To Yielding

3m 0f 0y

15:50 Wexford

Beggars Rock

11st 6lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Has been mostly chasing in the last year, winning a Kilbeggan beginners' over 2m5f; mightn't have lasted 3m2f last time and this trip back off a lower hurdles mark can suit; chance.

7/1

3rd

4

12th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 50y

16:37 Down Royal

Beggars Rock

11st 3lb

J: James Smith

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Beginners' chase winner last year for Declan Queally but hasn't been as good since for different yards; has to return to best on second start for this stable; better ground a help.

12/1

6th

9

4th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 45y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Beggars Rock

10st 12lb

J: Ms H Phillips

T: Ian Patrick Donoghue

Won a Kilbeggan beginners' chase (2m4f, good) last May for Declan Queally; placed over 2m4f in the first of two outings for Gordon Elliott in January; pulled up here on the second; has joined Ian Donoghue who tries a new headgear combination.

25/1

Form: 96002

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Left his previous maiden hurdle form behind when runner-up at Fairyhouse last month (beaten roughly 1l) and the third went close at Clonmel earlier this week; handicapper has revised his mark and may need further progress to win on handicap debut but longer trip may suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

6th Mar 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 4f 176y

14:30 Thurles

I Ballyadam Moon

11st 12lb

J: John Shinnick

T: Terence O’Brien

raced in second

6/1

6

20th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 6f 211y

16:25 Punchestown

I Ballyadam Moon

11st 3lb

J: John Shinnick

T: Terence O’Brien

Left his previous maiden hurdle form behind when runner-up at Fairyhouse last month (beaten roughly 1l) and the third went close at Clonmel since; handicapper has revised his mark and may need further progress to win on handicap debut but longer trip may suit.

7/1

Form: 255706

Last run: 11 days

W: 11st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Point winner but 30-race maiden under rules and hasn't shown enough over fences of late.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

25th Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 165y

17:28 Downpatrick

Look Dont Touch

10st 13lb

J: Ivan Ryan

T: Conor David Maxwell

Fourth of 20 over hurdles on his penultimate start before a lesser show here over 2m6f; didn't run well in his last handicap chase either so not hard to have some reservations.

12/1

6

15th Jul 2025

Good

2m 5f 185y

14:18 Downpatrick

Look Dont Touch

11st 3lb

J: Mr T J Stafford

T: Conor David Maxwell

Point-to-point winner yet to score under Rules; solid fourth at Punchestown (3m, gd-yld) on latest; nudged up 1lb for that and drops in trip; claims if he can back that up but that's not guaranteed.

11/4

Form: 838-07

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 4lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
0-11 over timber and no signs of a return to form here earlier this month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

24th Jul 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 0y

18:15 Wexford

Apples In Winter

10st 13lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Liam Casey

0-14 under Rules and out of form when last seen in April at Naas; dropped another 2lb for that but lacks a run and may need softer ground.

28/1

12th

16

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 180y

16:55 Naas

Apples In Winter

11st 0lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Liam Casey

0-13 over hurdles, placed twice; encouragement from Punchestown run in February when far from disgraced under this rider but has plenty on to reverse the form with Mellem judged on latest effort at Leopardstown.

33/1

12th

16

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 180y

16:55 Naas

Apples In Winter

11st 0lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Liam Casey

0-13 over hurdles, placed twice; encouragement from Punchestown run in February when far from disgraced under this rider but has plenty on to reverse the form with Mellem judged on latest effort at Leopardstown.

33/1

Form: 0070-5

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 3lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Poor maiden hurdle form; best run yet when fifth in a handicap hurdle last month but up against it in this contest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

13th Apr 2025

Good

2m 6f 0y

15:00 Down Royal

Misty Milan

10st 3lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Declan Queally

led, headed after 3 out, outpaced after 2 out, stayed on run-in

22/1

3rd

6

13th Apr 2025

Good

2m 6f 0y

15:00 Down Royal

Misty Milan

10st 3lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Declan Queally

led, headed after 3 out, outpaced after 2 out, stayed on run-in

22/1

Verdict

It’s hard to know where the ceiling of DUFFYS HODEY’s ability lies and an 8lb rise for his recent course success looks on the lenient side. Plenty of others arrive in good form including Must Go Now who had an in-form Portnacoo in behind at Fairyhouse while the likes of Rue Taylor and Prophet’s Corner both have workable opening handicap marks. [Phill Anderson]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Duffys Hodey

The Irish Sun:

Prophet's Corner

RP RATINGS (IRE):

I Ballyadam Moon

TOPSPEED:

Portnacoo

POSTDATA:

Duffys Hodey